Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nate1983]

DON'T use Pimsleur or phrase books. You'll sound like a parrot trying to recite stuff without any comprehension of the structure of the language...I think that method only works for similar languages (Romance, Germanic) or those with simple grammars (perhaps Thai or Chinese).

I like the drama suggestion, once you get to a certain level. BTW, where are you finding these dramas with Korean subtitles?

My suggestion is use Integrated Korean by University of Hawaii Press. I passed the Level 3 TOPIK before I ever set foot on Korean soil, basically just using those books and some videos I found on YouTube.

[some waygug-in]

There's lots of stuff on Youtube, some useful, some not.

There's also a lot of free websites if you can use google,


Try a search "learning Korean".

[Jake_Kim]

Whatever method you choose, whatever material comes in handy,

please please please don't try to learn Korean pronunciation with Romanized writings.

Whatever transliteration standard out there - current official one or the old McCune�Reischauer or some Korean teacher's own creation, if any - never ever works when it comes to correct sound and accent. That is, even when you're just trying to make it sound coherent enough, short of sounding fluent.

[magni]

I highly suggest the Active Korean textbooks. They give you a nice functional grounding in the language with great grammar tips. I would start with these or now and move into something more complicated when you get to Korea. OP I've sent you a PM.

[some waygug-in]

I don't think there is a "best method". You have to experiment a bit and find things that work for you.

If you're going the textbook route, I don't think you'll find a better

beginner book than this:

http://www.hanbooks.com/komaeaforbeb.html

[myenglishisno]

[some waygug-in]

Whatever works for you. I've used all kinds of books, videos, on-line lessons whatever I can find. I've used Sogang, Ganada, SNU and scads of others. Youtube videos of LSK (old series) helped me more than anything.

but I'm just so thick-headed.

I guess I should have just taken a real class.

[young_clinton]

I would invest in Pimsleur Comprehensive Korean I. You can download it online for something like 100 US dollars. When you're through with it download Pimsleur Comprehensive Korean II. These tapes are the best start for learning Korean. They are a lot better than any books I have ever seen and I've seen quite a few and owned quite a few. The only draw back is they are almost all audio, with just a few exercises for written Korean. Once you're through with Pimsleur do what ever else you want to do. The tapes get you used to Korean grammer and they do a good job of it.
If you have the money available after finishing off the two Pimsleur levels you might try Rosetta Stone. Personally I like Rosetta Stone Korean I, II, III as much as I like Pimsleur I and II, but I wouldn't advice starting Rosetta Stone Korean untill you've done both Pimsleurs. It might be a little bit too frustrating to understand what is going on at first.
Both Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone give you language that that is useful in impressing Koreans, they tend to like it. If you're teaching children, the children will like it. Just make sure you invest in Pimsleur Korean, if you're going to invest in it, before buying Rosetta Stone Korean.

[chasmmi]

http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Korean-74-minute-Audio-CD/dp/0804820791/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1326894445&sr=8-5

Very good book from a grammar first perspective.

[some waygug-in]

try the links on Galbijim

there's tons of on-line resources.


http://wiki.galbijim.com/Online_Korean_learning_resources

[CPT]

I'm not the biggest fan of Pimsleur. Everything is too formal.

I think the Sogang University books are pretty good, but I've used them in a classroom setting, not for self study.

Doesn't really help the OP, but I'm thinking about doing an intensive course here in Seoul next month. Wondering if anybody knows of a good one that I could still register for.

[Weigookin74]

Learn how to read Hanguel is your first best bet. Then learn a handful of phrases. Prob best in the shortest amount of time. Keep it up when you get over here if you can.

[Squire]

[ghostrider]

[piskeydoo]

google: "Genki Korean" to learn how to pronounce the alphabet and numbers and simple things. The games can get repetitive, but its at least a start. Once I got comfortable with the alphabet I downloaded aps in Korean on my phone to practice sounding things out. Even if I don't know what I'm saying at least I'm getting used to reading the language.

Everyday now I find a set of flashcards on Quizlet and learn them: http://quizlet.com/subject/korean/
Quizlet is great because there are lots of exercises that really help you learn the words. There are also games which are sort of fun. Make sure that you know how so read the word, pronounce it correctly, and spell it correctly.

I occasionally look over grammar and whatnot, but I haven't learned ANY yet. I'm still stateside too and won't be moving until the end of February. Right now I'm more focused on building a base vocabulary and putting it together later. If you haven't looked at Korean grammar yet it can get tricky. Each part of the sentence has a marker and that marker changes depending on whether or not that word ends in a vowel or consonant. Its too much for my to wrap my head around currently ^^